s50b32- how reliable? How expensive to maintain? Practical for DD street

[DaveSmed]

S52 for a DD, IMO. Tractable, docile, reliable, can easily make 230whp.

It doesn't compare. The parts list is almost completely different for good reason- the feel of that engine is much different. The power delivery is something else...

[markseven]

S52 for a DD, IMO. Tractable, docile, reliable, can easily make 230whp.

[M3 euro ltw]

Many ways to skin a cat

In direct answer to your OP, the S50B32 is not a nightmare to maintain, there are very affordable fixes for any vanos issues now in fact.

Parts are available over the counter from any US dealership.

By far and away it is an easier bolt in solution than an S54 if you want to really emphasize the DIY nature and not rely on ANYone's help.

Currently there is a lot of buzz ( to my dismay? ) about reflashes to the stock computer that allow what is probably a relatively simple installation.

Running it on a standalone allows for a whole new world to open up in terms of tuning and advances and options you'd never have with the stock computer, but of course this is not for everyone, and requires some dedication and almost always a bit of a compromise from the exquisite and complex DME that BMW provided to run the engine in the first place.

Everyone eventually askes, "Can I have more power", and having a standalone gives you the options of very, very easy re-tuning when you start to make changes that range from cams, intakes, exhausts etc, not to mention FI, compression, stroke etc.....

I still sell the euro's relatively often, so I think the simplicity of P&P for stock engined 3.0 and 3.2 has a lot of appeal to people....

But I'm really more excited about the DTA stuff and the S54....

[clydesdale]

ok, I thought I was set on the euro motor, but what is the difficulty level like for an s54? I would think the electronics would be a nightmare. Not so?

[Eric]

S54 is much easy to find parts than euro s50b32.

true story, I finished my euro 3.0L swap about 6 minutes before S54 swaps became popular/easy:hitler:

[e30m3s54turbo]

S54 is much easy to find parts than euro s50b32.

[nrubenstein]

I'd do an S54 swap. It might be a bit more up front, but parts will be readily available via the local dealer.

[clydesdale]

Comparable to an S52 or is this going to be a money and maintenance pit? I like the sound of having the power and I am ok with the cost of the swap. But will it end there, or do these things have maint. and money issues that will bleed a guy dry? Are parts easily purchased? Thanks.

[gobuffs]

Properly maintained they are not that bad.

[clydesdale]

My old e30 is looking for a transplant and I believe I want the euro motor. But, I do not want it to be a money pit. Once the swap is complete, how expensive are these motors to own? I guess I would be looking for a comparison to the US s52. The car would end up going back to being a daily driver. I know I need to do a swap. I just want to make sure I pick the right motor. Thanks